Santeria: the Religion: Faith, Rites, Magic (World Religion and Magic)

When the Yoruba of West Africa were brought to Cuba as slaves, they preserved their religious heritage by disguising their gods as Catholic saints and worshiping them in secret. The resulting religion is Santer?a, a blend of primitive magic and Catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million Hispanic Americans. Blending informed study with her personal experience, Gonz?lez-Wippler describes Santer?a?s pantheon of gods ("orishas "); the priests ("santeros" ); the divining shells used to consult the gods (the "Dilogg?n" ) and the herbal potions prepared as medicinal cures and for magic ("Ewe ) "as well as controversial ceremonies-including animal sacrifice. She has obtained remarkable photographs and interviews with Santer?a leaders that highlight aspects of the religion rarely revealed to nonbelievers. This book satisfies the need for knowledge of this expanding religious force that links its devotees in America to a spiritual wisdom seemingly lost in modern society.

Author: Migene Gonz???lez-Wippler

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications

Publication Date: September 08, 2002

Number of Pages: 384 pages

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1567183298

ISBN-13: 9781567183290